Flow compensator

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed including: a housing including a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port; an insert at least partially disposed within the conduit and including a tapered portion extending from a narrower end proximal the inlet port to a wider end distal the inlet port; and a facility for adjusting the position of the insert within the conduit. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to receive a mixed flow of liquid and gas at the inlet port, direct the mixed flow through the conduit around a portion of the insert disposed within the chamber, and outlet the mixed flow at the outlet port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 14/138,831, filed Dec. 23, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,610,551),which is a Continuation of PCT International Application No.PCT/US2012/043708, filed Jun. 22, 2012, which claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/500,461, filed Jun. 23,2011. The entire disclosures of the foregoing applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Application Nos.61/500451, 61/500469, 61/500500, 61/500440, each filed Jun. 23, 2011,and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/654487, filed Jun. 1, 2012. Theentire contents of each of the foregoing applications are incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Water and carbon dioxide are generally immiscible under normalenvironmental conditions, i.e., room temperature and atmosphericpressure. Apparatuses and methods exist for producing carbonated waterby creating conditions under which carbon dioxide will becomewater-soluble. Generally, carbon dioxide becomes more soluble in wateras pressures increase and temperatures decrease.

In some cases carbonation devices produce an outflow of carbonated waterthat is more turbulent than desired. The turbulence of the flow maydegrade the level of carbonation or produce a poorly controlled orinconsistent output flow rate.

In fluid mechanics, the Reynolds number is a dimensionless number thatgives a measure of the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces in aflow and consequently quantifies the relative importance of these twotypes of forces for given flow conditions. The Reynolds number may beused to characterize different flow regimes, such as laminar orturbulent flow. Laminar flow occurs at low Reynolds numbers, whereviscous forces are dominant, and is characterized by smooth, constantfluid motion. Turbulent flow occurs at high Reynolds numbers and isdominated by inertial forces, which tend to produce chaotic eddies,vortices and other flow instabilities.

SUMMARY

One The applicants have realized that a flow compensator may be providedand used to regulate the flow of carbonated water from a carbonator. Thecompensator may allow for adjustable control of the flow rate throughthe compensator, the level of carbonation, the turbulence of the flow,the flow velocity, or other flow properties.

In one aspect, an apparatus is disclosed including: a housing includinga conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port; and an insert atleast partially disposed within the conduit and including: a taperedportion extending from a narrower end proximal the inlet port to a widerend distal the inlet port. The apparatus also includes a facility foradjusting the position of the insert within the conduit. In someembodiments, the apparatus is configured to receive a mixed flow ofliquid and gas at the inlet port, direct the mixed flow through theconduit around a portion of the insert disposed within the chamber, andoutlet the mixed flow at the outlet port.

In some embodiments, the conduit includes a tubular passage extendingalong a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end; the inletport includes an aperture disposed about the longitudinal axis adjacentthe proximal end of the tubular passage; and the outlet port includes anaperture oriented transverse to the inlet port and adjacent the distalend of the tubular passage.

In some embodiments, the tapered portion of the insert extends along thelongitudinal axis of the tubular passage and cooperates with a wall ofthe passage to form a conical channel between the insert and the wall.In some embodiments, a cross sectional area, taken transverse thelongitudinal axis adjacent, of the conical channel is smaller than across sectional area, taken transverse the longitudinal axis, of aportion of the tubular passage adjacent the inlet port.

In some embodiments, where the facility for adjusting the position ofthe insert within the conduit is configured to adjust the crosssectional area of the conical channel.

In some embodiments, the tubular passage includes a tapered wall facingthe tapered portion of the insert.

In some embodiments, the portion of the insert extending into theconduit has one or more surface features configured to interrupt ordivert the mixed flow.

In some embodiments, the surface features are configured to divert atleast a portion of the mixed flow towards the outlet port.

In some embodiments, the surface features are configured to reduce thevelocity of at least a portion of the mixed flow in regions adjacent thefeatures.

In some embodiments, the surface features include a plurality ofprotrusions from a surface of the insert.

In some embodiments, at least some of the plurality of protrusions arearranged in a first ring disposed about a longitudinal axis of theinsert.

In some embodiments, at least some of the plurality of protrusions arearranged in a second ring disposed about a longitudinal axis of theinsert, where the protrusions in the first ring are longitudinallyoffset and radially staggered from the protrusions in the second ring.

In some embodiments, the surface features include a plurality of ribsand channels.

In some embodiments, the ribs and channels extend from the wider end ofthe tapered portion of the insert towards and end of the insert locatedproximal the outlet channel.

In some embodiments, the facility includes a threaded attachment betweenthe housing and insert.

Some embodiments include one or more seals configured to ensure that theconduit is sealed fluid tight except for the inlet and outlet ports.

In another aspect, a system is disclosed including: a carbonator havingan outlet for dispensing a flow of carbonated water; and a flowcompensator including the apparatus of any of the types described above.In some embodiments, the outlet of the carbonator is in fluidcommunication with the inlet port of the flow compensator.

In some embodiments, the flow compensator is configured to decrease theturbulence of the flow of carbonated water dispensed from thecarbonator.

In some embodiments, the flow compensator is configured to promote themixing of carbon dioxide and water in the flow of carbonated waterdispensed from the carbonator.

In some embodiments, the carbonator is an inline carbonator.

In another aspect, a method is disclosed including, using a flowcompensator including the apparatus of any of the types described above:receiving an input flow of carbonated water at the inlet port; anddispensing an output flow of carbonated water from the outlet port.

Some embodiments include using the flow compensator to reduce theturbulence of output flow relative to the input flow.

Some embodiments include using the flow compensator to promote themixing of water and carbon dioxide in the carbonated water.

Some embodiments include: directing the input flow from the inlet portthrough a first relatively large cross section portion of the conduit toa relatively small cross section portion of the conduit, and directingthe flow from the relatively small cross section portion of the conduittowards the outlet port to form the output flow.

Some embodiments include providing substantially laminar flow throughthe at least a portion of the relatively small cross section portion ofthe conduit.

Some embodiments include: maintaining substantially constant pressure inthe flow through at least a portion of the relatively small crosssection portion of the conduit.

Some embodiments include interrupting or diverting a portion of the flowthrough at least a portion of the relatively small cross section portionof the conduit.

Some embodiments include interrupting or diverting a portion of the flowusing a surface feature on the insert to reduce the local velocity ofthe flow in a region adjacent the surface feature.

In some embodiments, the local velocity is reduced to less that 50% ofan average flow velocity through the relatively small cross sectionportion of the conduit.

In some embodiments, the local velocity is reduced to less that 25% ofan average flow velocity through the relatively small cross sectionportion of the conduit.

Some embodiments include adjusting a flow rate of the output flow byusing the facility to adjust the position of the insert within theconduit.

Some embodiments include adjusting a carbonation level of the outputflow by using the facility to adjust the position of the insert withinthe conduit.

Various embodiments may include any of the above described elements,alone or in any suitable combination.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the following drawings and thedetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments describedherein and, together with the description, explain these embodiments.Like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout thedifferent views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theembodiments. While exemplary dimensions are shown (in arbitrary units)in some figures it is to be understood that other dimensions may beused.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for dispensing carbonated water.

FIG. 2A shows a disassembled view of a flow compensator. Ghosted linesindicated internal features.

FIG. 2B shows an assembled view of the flow compensator of FIG. 2A.Ghosted lines indicated internal features.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of an insert for the flow compensator of FIGS.2A and 2B.

FIG. 4 is a plot of the velocity field of a carbonated water flowthrough the flow compensator of FIGS. 2A-2B.

FIG. 5 is a plot showing the flow lines of the velocity field of acarbonated water flow through the flow compensator of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 6 is a plot of the pressure of a carbonated water flow through theflow compensator of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 7A shows a disassembled view of a flow compensator with an insertfeaturing ribs and channels. Ghosted lines indicated internal features.

FIG. 7B shows an assembled view of a flow compensator with an insertfeaturing ribs and channels. Ghosted lines indicated internal features.

FIG. 7C is a detailed view of the insert from FIGS. 7A and 7B showingthe ribs and channels.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the fluid flow layer geometry through thecompensator shown in FIGS. 7A-7C.

FIG. 9 is a plot of the velocity field of a carbonated water flowthrough the flow compensator of FIGS. 7A-7C.

FIG. 10 is a plot showing the stream lines of the velocity field of acarbonated water flow through the flow compensator of FIGS. 7A-7C.

FIG. 11 is a plot of the pressure of a carbonated water flow through theflow compensator of FIGS. 7A-7C.

FIG. 12 is a plot of the Reynolds number of a carbonated water flowthrough the flow compensator of FIGS. 7A-7C.

FIGS. 13A-C illustrate another compensator design. FIG. 13A shows a sideview of the compensator insert. FIG. 13B is a side view of thecompensator housing, ghosted lines indicated internal features. FIG. 13Cis a cross sectional view of the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for dispensing carbonated water. The systemincludes a water source 101 (e.g., a source of chilled and/or filteredwater) and a carbon dioxide gas source 102. A carbonator 103 receiveswater and carbon dioxide gas from the sources 101, 102, and outputs aflow of carbonated water. For example, in some embodiments, thecarbonator 103 is an in line carbonator, e.g., of the type described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/772,641 filed Mar. 3, 2010 entitled“APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EFFICIENT SOLUBILIZATION OF CARBONDIOXIDE IN WATER USING HIGH ENERGY IMPACT,” the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference. This reference describes anapparatus that can be placed in a water line path to create carbonatedwater for dispensing. The apparatus accepts carbon dioxide and waterthrough an inlet path. From there the flow of carbon dioxide and waterare passed through one or more dispersion elements arranged within theconduit to create a dispersed flow (e.g., an annular dispersed flow).The dispersed flow then passes through a passive accelerator within theconduit, thereby greatly increasing the kinetic energy of the system.The accelerated flow is directed to collide with a rigid impact surfaceimmediately downstream of the passive accelerator. This collisioncreates sufficient pressure to solubilize the carbon dioxide into thewater. A retention network is provided at the output of the apparatus tocollect and regulate the flow of carbonated water.

In other embodiments, the carbonator 103 may include other (non-“inline”) carbonator types. For example, some carbonators use carbondioxide sprayed into a water container. Other carbonators employ acarbonating tank, called a saturator, and a high-pressure water pump.Carbonated water is produced by pressurizing the saturator tank withcarbon dioxide and filling the tank with chilled water. Due to the highpressures resident in the saturator tank, typically around 70 psi, arelatively expensive high pressure water pump may be required to injectwater into the tank. Furthermore, under the conditions in the saturatortank, the carbon dioxide takes time to dissolve into to the water andachieve a palatable level of carbonization. Accordingly, the saturatoris typically large enough to hold a ready supply of carbonated water fordispensing and does not create new carbonated water instantaneously ondemand. To maintain this supply, two or more sensors-and associatedelectronic controls-are typically used to start the high pressure pumpand inject water into saturator when the level of carbonated water inthe saturator falls below a set threshold and then stop the waterinjection when the tank fills to an appropriate level.

The carbonated water flow output from the carbonator may have one ormore undesirable characteristics, such as an unwanted level ofturbulence, a flow rate that is inappropriate for dispensing, etc. Forexample, a high level of turbulence may degrade the level ofcarbonation. A poorly controlled or inconsistent output flow rate mayresult in spattering or other unwanted effects if the flow were to bedispensed directly from the carbonator 103.

Accordingly, a flow compensator 105 is provided. The compensator 105receives the output flow from the carbonator 103, operates on the flowto regulate one or more properties of the flow (e.g., turbulence, flowrate, etc.) and outputs a regulated flow of carbonated water. The flowfrom the carbonator 105 may be relatively turbulent, e.g., characterizedby an average (or peak) Reynolds number of 1000 or more, 1500 or more,2000 or more 2500 or more, 3000 or more, 3500, or more, 4000 or more,etc.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the flowcompensator 105. FIG. 2A is an exploded view and FIG. 2B is an assembledview. The flow compensator 105 includes a housing 201 and an insertmember 202. The housing 201 includes an inlet port 203 and the insertmember 202 includes an outlet port 204. As shown, the inlet and outletports 203, 204 include stem portions to facilitate connections withexternal devices (e.g., a connection between the output of carbonator103 and the inlet port 203). In various embodiments any other type of(preferable fluid tight) connectors may be used.

A conduit 205 extends through the housing 201. When assembled, a portionof insert 202 is positioned in the conduit 205. The insert 202 acts toseal the conduit 205 such that a flow of carbonated water into the inletport 203 flows through the conduit along the insert 202 and is outputthrough the outlet port 204.

The flow compensator 105 includes a facility 206 for adjusting theposition of the insert 202 inside the conduit 205. As shown, thefacility 206 is made up of a threaded attachment between an end of theinsert 202 and a corresponding threaded hole in the housing 201. The endof the insert 202 includes a pentagon handle that allows the insert 202to be turned (e.g., using pliers) to advance or retract the insert 202into or out of the conduit 205. In various embodiments, any other typeof adjustable attachment may be used. As described in greater detailbelow, the facility 206 allows for adjustment of one or more properties(e.g., flow rate, turbulence, carbonation level, etc.) of the regulatedflow output from the outlet port 204. The facility 206 may allow foradjustment of the position of the insert 202 while maintaining the fluidtight seal between the insert and housing. For example, as shown twoO-rings 211 (e.g., made of an elastomeric material such as rubbermaterial) on the insert 202 form a slidable seal between the insert andthe housing.

As shown the conduit 205 extends along a longitudinal axis (indicatedwith a dotted line) from a proximal end near the inlet port 203 to adistal end near thread feature. The conduit 205 includes a tubularpassage 207 disposed about and extending from the inlet port 203 alongthis longitudinal axis to a back wall formed by when the insert 202 isattached to the housing 201. The outlet port 204 is positioned distalfrom the inlet port 203. The outlet port 204 is in fluid communicationwith the tubular passage 207.

When assembled, the insert 202 extends along the longitudinal axis froma proximal end located within the conduit 205, to a distal end thatextends outside of the housing 201. The insert 202 includes a taperedportion 209 that is narrower towards the proximal end of the insert(i.e., the end of the insert facing the inlet port 201) and widertowards the distal end of the insert. The tapered portion, generally,has a cone angle between 7.5.degree. to 15.degree. The conduit 205 mayinclude a correspondingly tapered shaped portion 210, such that conduitand insert cooperate to form a narrow conical channel. This conicalchannel has a cross sectional area (taken along the direction transverseto the longitudinal axis) which is smaller than the cross sectional areaof the portion of the conduit 205 adjacent the inlet port. In someembodiments, the cross sectional area may be reduced by a factor of 2,3, 4, 5, 10, 100, etc. or any other desirable amount. By adjusting theposition of the insert 202 using facility 206, the cross sectional areaof the conical channel can be varied to control the rate of flow throughthe compensator and/or other flow properties.

The surface of the tapered portion 209 and the surface of thecorrespondingly shaped portion 210 of the conduit 205 may be smooth. Asdescribed in greater detail below, this smooth narrow channel promoteslaminar flow through the compensator 105, thereby reducing theturbulence of the flow.

For example, FIGS. 4-6 show the results of a numerical simulation of theflow through an exemplary embodiment of the compensator 105 shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. Conservation of momentum and mass equations were solvedto obtain dynamic results of the flow behavior through the compensator105. Equations were solved using COMSOL Model for incompressiblestationary flow, fully developed inlet with no slip wall condition. Asoftware package for implementing this modeling may be obtained fromCOMSOL, Inc. of 1 New England Executive Park, Suite 350, BurlingtonMass. 01803. The simulations shown were carried out using a flow rate of1.5 L/min and an input flow pressure of about 35 psi. Qualitativelysimilar results were also obtained using an input pressure of 120 psi.At constant flow rate, the input pressure to the compensator will varywith respect to the position of insert 202 inside the housing 201.

FIG. 4 shows a greyscale plot of the magnitude of the velocity vectorfield for the flow. FIG. 5 shows the corresponding stream lines. FIG. 6shows a greyscale plot of the pressure of the flow.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the magnitude of the velocity of the flowfrom the inlet port 203 increases dramatically in the region 401 nearthe narrow tip of the tapered portion 209 of the insert 202, as the flowpath through the conduit 205 transitions from a tubular shape with alarge cross sectional area to a narrow conical shape with a smallercross sectional shape. However, as the flow moves through the smoothnarrow channel formed along the conical portion 209 of the insert 202,the flow velocity becomes relatively stable. This allows for smooth,laminar flow through the narrow channel, with a low level of pressurevariation (as shown in FIG. 6). For example, in some embodiments, theflow through the conical channel along a significant portion (e.g., atleast 50%, at least 60%, at least 70% at least 80%, at least 90% ormore) of the tapered section 209 of the insert 202 may be characterizedby a Reynolds number of 2500 or less, 2000 or less, 1500 or less, 1000or less, 500 or less, or even smaller. The pressure for thecorresponding flow along the corresponding portion of the insert 202 mayvary by less than e.g., 25%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or less than the averagepressure. This type of flow advantageously prevents the separation ofcarbon dioxide and water, thereby helping to maintain the level ofcarbonation.

Referring again to FIGS. 2A and 2B, along with FIG. 3, a portion of thesurface of the insert 202 may include one or more surface features usedto further condition the fluid flow through the compensator 105. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the insert 202 includes acylindrical portion 220 located distal (i.e., closer to the outlet port204) to the wide end of the tapered portion 209 of the insert 202.Several protrusions 222 (as shown, cylindrical embossments) extend fromthe surface of the cylindrical portions into the flow channel formedbetween the surface of the cylindrical portion 220 of the insert 202 andthe wall of the conduit 205. These protrusions 222 interrupt and/ordivert the flow of fluid through he compensator 105.

In the embodiment shown, the protrusions are arranged in circularpattern about the longitudinal axis.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, any suitablearrangement of the protrusions 222 may be used, including a regulararray, a random arrangement, a single ring, more than two rings, etc. Insome embodiments, the protrusions may (additionally or alternatively)extend from the surface of the conduit 205 into the flow channel formedbetween the conduit 205 and the insert 202.

As shown in the simulation results of FIGS. 4-6, the protrusions slowdown, and divert the flow at local regions (e.g., regions labeled 402).Referring to FIG. 5, the streamlines of the flow are detoured when thecarbon dioxide water mixture flows around the protrusions.

As noted above, the protrusions 222 act to regulate and stabilize theflow. They may also serve to divert the flow toward the outlet port 204.According, in some embodiments, the impact between inlet flow and theback wall of the tubular passage 207 is not significant. The regulatedflow may also provide a longer contact time and a larger contact surfacearea between the carbon dioxide and water in the flow resulting in abetter carbonation level and a stabilized flow.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the flowcompensator 105. FIG. 7A is a disassembled view and FIG. 7B is anassembled view. The flow structure of flow compensator 105 issubstantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, except that thesurface of cylindrical portion 220 of the insert 202 does not includethe cylindrical protrusions 222. Instead, the surface of cylindricalportion 220 includes alternating ribs 701 and channels 702 extending ina direction along the longitudinal axis.

FIG. 7C shows a detailed view of the ribs 701 and channels 702. Thedepth of the channels 702 increases with increasing distance from thetapered portion 209 of the insert 202 to a maximum depth, and thendecreases. Accordingly, the cylindrical portion 220 has an hourglassshape with a waist having a minimum diameter from the longitudinal axis.The ribs 701 separate adjacent channels 702.

The ribs 701 and channels 702 operate to decrease the magnitude of thevelocity of the flow through the channels 702. This slowing may providea longer contact time and a larger contact surface area between thecarbon dioxide and water in the flow resulting in a better carbonationlevel and a stabilized flow. In various embodiments, the local magnitudeof the flow velocity through the channels 702 at their deepest pointwill be less than 50%, 25%, 10%, etc. of the velocity of the flow as itenters the channels. In general, deeper channels will have a moredramatic slowing effect.

The channels 702 further operate to reduce the turbulence of the flow(i.e., providing a laminar flow) and maintain a consistent pressure. Forexample, in some embodiments, the flow through the channels 702 along asignificant portion (e.g., at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, atleast 80%, at least 90% or more) of the cylindrical section 220 of theinsert 202 may be characterized by a Reynolds number of 2500 or less,2000 or less, 1500 or less, 1000 or less, 500 or less, or even smaller.The pressure for the corresponding flow along the corresponding portionof the insert 202 may vary by less than e.g., 25%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or lessthan the average pressure. This type of flow advantageously prevents theseparation of carbon dioxide and water, thereby helping to maintain thelevel of carbonation.

For example, FIGS. 8-12 show the results of a numerical simulation ofthe flow through an exemplary embodiment of the compensator 105 of thetype shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. Conservation of momentum and mass equationswere solved to obtain dynamic results of the flow behavior through thecompensator 105. Once again Equations were solved using COMSOL Model forincompressible stationary flow with no slip wall condition. Thesimulations shown were carried out using a flow rate of 1 L/min and aninput flow pressure of 20 psi. Qualitatively similar results were alsoobtained using an input pressure of 120 psi. At constant flow rate, theinput pressure to the compensator will vary with respect to the positionof insert 202 inside the housing 201.

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing the geometry of the modeled flow. FIG. 9shows a greyscale plot of the magnitude of the velocity vector field forthe flow. FIG. 10 shows the corresponding stream lines. FIG. 11 shows agreyscale plot of the pressure of the flow. FIG. 12 shows a greyscaleplot of the Reynolds number of the flow.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the magnitude of the velocity of the flowfrom the inlet port 203 decreases dramatically in the region 703 nearthe deepest portions of the channels 702. In some embodiments, the flowis sufficiently slowed that the impact between inlet flow and the backwall of the tubular passage 207 is not significant.

FIG. 11 confirms that the pressure of the flow remains substantiallyconsistent a as the flow moves through the channels 701. FIG. 12 showsthat the Reynolds number of the flow also decreases dramatically in theregion 703 near the deepest portions of the channels 702, indicating asmooth laminar flow through the channels 702.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, in some embodiments,the ribs and groves may be (additionally or alternatively) formed in thewall of the conduit 205 facing the cylindrical portion 220 of the insert202.

In various embodiments, other types of surface features may be used tocondition the flow through the compensator 105 (e.g., to control thevelocity, turbulence, direction, etc. of the flow). In some embodiments,the surface features may include a combination of protrusions and ribsand channels.

FIGS. 13A-C illustrate another compensator design. FIG. 13A shows a sideview of the compensator insert. FIG. 13B is a side view of thecompensator housing, ghosted lines indicated internal features. FIG. 13Cis a cross sectional view of the housing. The compensator shown issimilar in design to the compensator shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. However, theinsert 201 includes a distal portion 1301 located between the ribbedcylindrical portion 220 and the facility 206. This distal portion issmooth and generally cylindrical, but narrows to a waste. The narrowportion of the waist may be located proximal to the outlet 204.

The compensator 105 may be made of any suitable material. In someembodiments, the insert and/or housing are formed from or include aplastic (e.g., a thermoplastic) or polymer material (e.g., PFTE, PV, PU,nylon, etc.), a metal (e.g., copper, bronze, iron, steel, stainlesssteel, etc.), a composite, etc. The components may be fabricated usingany suitable technique including, e.g., molding (e.g., injectionmolding), machining (e.g., using one or more computer numericalcontrolled “CNC” tools such as a mill or lathe), etc.

Any of the various threaded connections may be national pipe threadtapered thread (NPT) or national pipe thread tapered thread fuel (NPTF)standard connections. In some embodiments, the threaded connectionsprovide leak proof fittings mechanically, without the need for Teflonthread tape or similar applications.

The examples described above are presented with reference to providingflow compensation to a flow of carbonated water. However, as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, the devices and techniquesdescribed herein may be applied to provide flow compensation for anysuitable fluid flow, including any suitable mixed flow of liquid andgas.

Although the examples above describe embodiments of the compensator 105which allow for adjustment of the position of the insert 202 in housing201, in other embodiments this position may be fixed (e.g., where inset202 and housing 201 are glued, welded, or otherwise permanently affixedto one another.)

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations.

However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even whenthe same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “atleast one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or“an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one ormore”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used tointroduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled inthe art will recognize that such recitation should typically beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typicallymeans at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C”would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general sucha construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually anydisjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms,whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood tocontemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either ofthe terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will beunderstood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended tobe exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed,and modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsappended hereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising aconduit having an inlet port and an outlet port; an insert at leastpartially disposed within the conduit and comprising: a tapered portionextending from a narrower end proximal the inlet port to a wider enddistal the inlet port; and a facility for adjusting the position of theinsert within the conduit; wherein the apparatus is configured toreceive a mixed flow of liquid and gas at the inlet port, direct themixed flow through the conduit around a portion of the insert disposedwithin the chamber, and outlet the mixed flow at the outlet port.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the conduit comprises a tubular passageextending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end;the inlet port comprises an aperture disposed about the longitudinalaxis adjacent the proximal end of the tubular passage; and the outletport comprises an aperture oriented transverse to the inlet port andadjacent the distal end of the tubular passage.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein: the tapered portion of the insert extends along thelongitudinal axis of the tubular passage and cooperates with a wall ofthe passage to form a conical channel between the insert and the wall,and wherein a cross sectional area, taken transverse the longitudinalaxis adjacent, of the conical channel is smaller than a cross sectionalarea, taken transverse the longitudinal axis, of a portion of thetubular passage adjacent the inlet port.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the facility for adjusting the position of the insert within theconduit is configured to adjust the cross sectional area of the conicalchannel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tubular passagecomprises a tapered wall facing the tapered portion of the insert. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the insert extendinginto the conduit has one or more surface features configured tointerrupt or divert the mixed flow.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe surface features are configured to divert at least a portion of themixed flow towards the outlet port.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe surface features are configured to reduce the velocity of at least aportion of the mixed flow in regions adjacent the features.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the surface features comprise a pluralityof protrusions from a surface of the insert.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, wherein at least some of the plurality of protrusions are arranged ina first ring disposed about a longitudinal axis of the insert.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein at least some of the plurality ofprotrusions are arranged in a second ring disposed about a longitudinalaxis of the insert, wherein the protrusions in the first ring arelongitudinally offset and radially staggered from the protrusions in thesecond ring.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the surface featurescomprise a plurality of ribs and channels.
 13. The apparatus of claim12, wherein the ribs and channels extend from the wider end of thetapered portion of the insert towards and end of the insert locatedproximal the outlet channel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefacility comprises a threaded attachment between the housing and insert.15. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising one or more seals configured toensure that the conduit is sealed fluid tight except for the inlet andoutlet ports.
 16. A system comprising: a carbonator having an outlet fordispensing a flow of carbonated water; and a flow compensatorcomprising: a housing comprising a conduit having an inlet port and anoutlet port; an insert at least partially disposed within the conduitand comprising: a tapered portion extending from a narrower end proximalthe inlet port to a wider end distal the inlet port; and a facility foradjusting the position of the insert within the conduit; wherein theapparatus is configured to receive a mixed flow of liquid and gas at theinlet port, direct the mixed flow through the conduit around a portionof the insert disposed within the chamber, and outlet the mixed flow atthe outlet port; and wherein the outlet of the carbonator is in fluidcommunication with the inlet port of the flow compensator.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the flow compensator is configured todecrease the turbulence of the flow of carbonated water dispensed fromthe carbonator.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the flow compensatoris configured to promote the mixing of carbon dioxide and water in theflow of carbonated water dispensed from the carbonator.
 19. The systemof any claim 16, wherein the carbonator is an inline carbonator.